Project Conclusion.
The last 10 weeks have seen me develop a strong body of work, focused and clear with key elements running through the duration. I have developed a way of working that best suits me. The digital manipulations that I have focused on during this project have enabled me to develop a stronger, more direct approach to my design development, resulting in a more concise and clear body of work. I have become familiar with my chosen contexts, and feel that working for two different output (Commercial interior fabrics and deck chair slings) has broadened my horizons, allowing me to not feel restrained and stuck within the constraints of working for one sole context.
Designing samples and longer lengths with specific features was something that at first I was apprehensive about, limiting myself to using twills and 8 shaft diamond structures unknown to me. Despite this the challenge was worth it and I feel that now more than ever I have a body of work that fits well together, is coherent and is well suited to my area of context.
Creating my portfolio has allowed me to be selective when it comes to my work, I am able to edit down and chose the right amount of supporting work, so as not to overpower the viewer. The samples placed within this portfolio are ones that I feel best represent what I am about as a designer and also my concepts. Receiving positive feedback from professionals earlier in the project allowed me to be confident about my bold choices and to not shy away from the path I was working on. Despite my intentions to have a career in teaching upon graduation, I feel confident in the knowledge that my work is of a good standard and people who are already in the industry are passionate about what I have been doing.
Planning for my degree show is now the next thing on the list, I am confident that the work I have produced up to now will work well and be well received. I plan to show my two longer lengths that i have already produced, as well as using the time in between now and the show to create a further longer sample. All of which will be suspended from a pole, and weighted at the bottom, to give the illusion of stretched, taught fabric, as you would expect from my context ideas.
Thursday 22 May 2014
Tuesday 20 May 2014
Unit X - Week 10
Double cloth samples - Orange warp.
Although my warp is still currently on the loom, I have been able to weave, finish and cut off 5 samples and a longer length. The samples have all been woven with a point pattern visible, linking in well with pieces created from previous warps. I am pleased with the outcomes and feel the samples are bold, strong and hold a purpose. They are well suited to the interiors market, as the feel and finish of the fabric is extremely dense and robust. The research I have undertaken into deckchair fabric over the past few weeks has influenced my work and the samples work well for this context.
High street companies such as John lewis, Selfridge's and Habitat are currently some of the leading
stores to sell designer deck chair slings and fabrics, implying that although not yet a high earner, the sale and production of fabrics for this output is on the rise. The idea of designing for a market that is relatively fresh is one that excitites and scares me in equal measure!
The deck chair has always been a staple part of British culture and one that as technologies improve and designs are modernised could see a return in popularity amongst a younger target audience. Image below shows a small range of deck chair cover as sold by Interiors company 'Habitat'.
http://www.habitat.co.uk/search?productsPerPage=20&keywords=deck+chair&x=0&y=0
Although my warp is still currently on the loom, I have been able to weave, finish and cut off 5 samples and a longer length. The samples have all been woven with a point pattern visible, linking in well with pieces created from previous warps. I am pleased with the outcomes and feel the samples are bold, strong and hold a purpose. They are well suited to the interiors market, as the feel and finish of the fabric is extremely dense and robust. The research I have undertaken into deckchair fabric over the past few weeks has influenced my work and the samples work well for this context.
High street companies such as John lewis, Selfridge's and Habitat are currently some of the leading
stores to sell designer deck chair slings and fabrics, implying that although not yet a high earner, the sale and production of fabrics for this output is on the rise. The idea of designing for a market that is relatively fresh is one that excitites and scares me in equal measure!
The deck chair has always been a staple part of British culture and one that as technologies improve and designs are modernised could see a return in popularity amongst a younger target audience. Image below shows a small range of deck chair cover as sold by Interiors company 'Habitat'.
http://www.habitat.co.uk/search?productsPerPage=20&keywords=deck+chair&x=0&y=0
Wednesday 14 May 2014
Unit X - Week 9
Jaquard sample.
Wanting to create a sample that held more detail and intrigue I opted this week to design a sample to be woven on the Jacquard loom. Focus has been held over the last couple of weeks on creating and executing fabrics with twill and diamond style patterning. Taking this to the next level I have created a piece that works around this concept, introducing chevron shapes, elongated diamonds and repeated structure.
The piece takes inspiration from my new batch of imagery, used in the orange double cloth warp, being woven alongside this. I have combined it with elements taken from other images in order to create a piece that captures all areas of development and inspiration. Below shows my image edited to form a repeated pattern and then the pattern formatted and turned into a loomdisk, ready to be taken to the loom for weaving.
Wanting to create a sample that held more detail and intrigue I opted this week to design a sample to be woven on the Jacquard loom. Focus has been held over the last couple of weeks on creating and executing fabrics with twill and diamond style patterning. Taking this to the next level I have created a piece that works around this concept, introducing chevron shapes, elongated diamonds and repeated structure.
The piece takes inspiration from my new batch of imagery, used in the orange double cloth warp, being woven alongside this. I have combined it with elements taken from other images in order to create a piece that captures all areas of development and inspiration. Below shows my image edited to form a repeated pattern and then the pattern formatted and turned into a loomdisk, ready to be taken to the loom for weaving.
Tuesday 13 May 2014
Unit X - Week 8
Edits and pattern developments.
Twills and diamond patterns worked well for the last set of samples I worked on, therefore I want to try and enhance the effect of my current orange double cloth, including the use of pointed drafts and patterned interchanges.
The visual imagery and warp plans created last week have served as a tool for pattern development this week. I have manipulated and enhanced the images to create patterned surfaces, which will serve as a tool to develop ideas for woven patterns.
Although I want my cloths to hold the same qualities that my older double cloth samples have, I feel the emphasis this time around is not on the interchangeable layers, but more on the patterns, linear qualities and colour blocks.
Twills and diamond patterns worked well for the last set of samples I worked on, therefore I want to try and enhance the effect of my current orange double cloth, including the use of pointed drafts and patterned interchanges.
The visual imagery and warp plans created last week have served as a tool for pattern development this week. I have manipulated and enhanced the images to create patterned surfaces, which will serve as a tool to develop ideas for woven patterns.
Although I want my cloths to hold the same qualities that my older double cloth samples have, I feel the emphasis this time around is not on the interchangeable layers, but more on the patterns, linear qualities and colour blocks.
Sunday 11 May 2014
Unit X - Week 8
After completing my single cloth last week I felt it was time to branch out and look at a new, more vivid palette. Something that felt lifted and bright. I have been gathering visuals that hold structure and pattern formations, but that also have stronger hues and brighter shades than those I have worked with in the past.
Blues, blacks and whites are colours that I have repeated many times this year, I opted this week to restrict myself from using these colours and found imagery that held little or no traces of said colours. Challenging myself at this stage is vital, I want the work to stay fresh and changing the palette will enhance the look and feel of the fabric.
New inspiration came from photographing architectural buildings at sun set. By choosing to gather imagery at a certain time of the day, I knew from the onset that I would be limiting my palette. This decision turned out to work in my favour. A bold, glass structured building proved to be a source of great colour. Picking out the key colours and ordering them according to how often they appear in the original image I have developed two warp plans, as shown below.
Choosing to weave a double cloth again came after watching the colours change as time progressed. The difference in tones proved fascinating, leading me to once again toy with the idea of hiding and revealing sections of colour. Thus a double cloth.
The two palettes work well together and I have chosen to work with both schemes so as to enable many different colour ways and striped appearances.
Tuesday 6 May 2014
Unit X - Week 7
Single cloth samples.
Finished samples from the single cloth show a range of different pattern ways and proportions of pattern. The outcome is a clean, concise and overall strong body of woven samples that I feel have been a great step forward from previous warps produced. The samples showcase how my development work has informed the pieces and the strong planning of colour placement works well, ensuring that each section is bold, neat and works well with the chosen pattern applied.
I am confident that these samples can work well both for the commercial market as well as potential fabrics for deck chair slings. The density to which I have designed this cloth means it is durable and of a high standard. I have also ensured the proportions of the cloth work well over longer lengths, a 70 inch sample was produced which will go forward as part of my degree show work, this shall be displayed along with sample work in a setting that showcases how the fabric would work, should it be produced for commercial use.
Monday 5 May 2014
Unit X - Week 7
Deck chairs and stripes.
Can a deck chair really be the way forward? This has been a question that has been somewhat troubling and the cause of many worried moments for me this week. Keeping focused and on point I have been looking today at how the humble deck chair is perceived in the worlds media. Recent articles are show below..
Trying not to get too bogged down by the thought of designing only and solely for 'deck chairs' I have been digitally experimenting and playing around with basic colour proportions. The use of solid lines relates back to all aspects of the project, influenced from the Optical art elements that have shaped my way of thinking. The shape work I undertook in previous week, looking at diamonds and chevrons, has led me this week to start layering shapes over colour blocks to see the different effects. This is a tool that has enabled me to make quick, informed decisions when planning samples to be woven, by working first on the computer I am able to get a sense of how the finished sample will look.
The image below shows one of such digital manipulations, by adding simple chevron and twill shapes over the top of coloured blocks I can get a variety of different outputs at a relatively fast pace.
Using Photoshop as a design tool I have this week been able to translate hand drawn and hand photographed images into patterns suitable for weaving. I have found that this method of working has played a crucial part in my design development, the simple repeats have let me see first what amount of points and how many repeats work well within different sections.
It is important that my work holds a style of its own. I have tried to steer clear of having fully twilled fabrics, like Missoni, as I feel my pieces work best by having two areas of interest.
Experimenting again with digital programmes I have planned samples that will work with two completely separate patterns. Smaller sections with heavy twills and larger, regular sections with satin patterning. This hopefully will give the impression of shapes lifting from the surface of the fabric, an element I am still keen to push further.
Can a deck chair really be the way forward? This has been a question that has been somewhat troubling and the cause of many worried moments for me this week. Keeping focused and on point I have been looking today at how the humble deck chair is perceived in the worlds media. Recent articles are show below..
Trying not to get too bogged down by the thought of designing only and solely for 'deck chairs' I have been digitally experimenting and playing around with basic colour proportions. The use of solid lines relates back to all aspects of the project, influenced from the Optical art elements that have shaped my way of thinking. The shape work I undertook in previous week, looking at diamonds and chevrons, has led me this week to start layering shapes over colour blocks to see the different effects. This is a tool that has enabled me to make quick, informed decisions when planning samples to be woven, by working first on the computer I am able to get a sense of how the finished sample will look.
The image below shows one of such digital manipulations, by adding simple chevron and twill shapes over the top of coloured blocks I can get a variety of different outputs at a relatively fast pace.
Using Photoshop as a design tool I have this week been able to translate hand drawn and hand photographed images into patterns suitable for weaving. I have found that this method of working has played a crucial part in my design development, the simple repeats have let me see first what amount of points and how many repeats work well within different sections.
It is important that my work holds a style of its own. I have tried to steer clear of having fully twilled fabrics, like Missoni, as I feel my pieces work best by having two areas of interest.
Experimenting again with digital programmes I have planned samples that will work with two completely separate patterns. Smaller sections with heavy twills and larger, regular sections with satin patterning. This hopefully will give the impression of shapes lifting from the surface of the fabric, an element I am still keen to push further.
Sunday 4 May 2014
Unit X - Week 7
Context ideas.
SouthSea deck chairs & Fred Perry.
Over the Easter break I began to look into different areas of the market at which I could place my fabrics. Initially I wanted to create a range of samples that would work as commercial fabrics, to be sold by the roll to the high end client. Although that is still one of my key focuses I though about the potential of working my way into a niche market.
Taking the weight and qualities of my fabric samples into account, I found that I was reminded and drawn to old fashioned, designer deck chairs. The density and feel of the fabric lends itself almost perfectly to this area of the market and so I began to look into who else, if anyone else is working towards this sales area.
Difficult to begin with, I found only a few British companies that specialise in the production of fabric for the outdoor market. Southsea Deckchairs and Gallant & Jones are two companies that have tailored the production of dense, solid fabrics and have managed to create a steady business around this area.
Southsea Deckchairs work with vibrant coloured cottons patterned in a way that gives a nostalgic feel. Sold either by the sling or by the metre these fabrics can be used for interior or exterior use and are finished to the highest standard, providing a waterproof surface.
Recently fashion company Fred Perry has teamed up with Southsea Deckchairs to create a truly iconic clothing range. Taking inspiration from the seaside classic furniture style, Fred Perry have created garments with dense, heavy fabrics, wooden buttons and triple stitched 'sail' hems. The colours are inspired by old chairs and slings made famous by Southsea Deckchairs and work to preserve the heritage of such an iconic style.
Southsea Deckchairs. Cotton Fabrics. [Online] [Accessed 04.05.2014] http://gallantandjones.com/customer-love/
http://www.masdings.com/blog/2014/03/25/fred-perry-x-southsea-deckchair-company/B9
SouthSea deck chairs & Fred Perry.
Over the Easter break I began to look into different areas of the market at which I could place my fabrics. Initially I wanted to create a range of samples that would work as commercial fabrics, to be sold by the roll to the high end client. Although that is still one of my key focuses I though about the potential of working my way into a niche market.
Taking the weight and qualities of my fabric samples into account, I found that I was reminded and drawn to old fashioned, designer deck chairs. The density and feel of the fabric lends itself almost perfectly to this area of the market and so I began to look into who else, if anyone else is working towards this sales area.
Difficult to begin with, I found only a few British companies that specialise in the production of fabric for the outdoor market. Southsea Deckchairs and Gallant & Jones are two companies that have tailored the production of dense, solid fabrics and have managed to create a steady business around this area.
Southsea Deckchairs work with vibrant coloured cottons patterned in a way that gives a nostalgic feel. Sold either by the sling or by the metre these fabrics can be used for interior or exterior use and are finished to the highest standard, providing a waterproof surface.
Recently fashion company Fred Perry has teamed up with Southsea Deckchairs to create a truly iconic clothing range. Taking inspiration from the seaside classic furniture style, Fred Perry have created garments with dense, heavy fabrics, wooden buttons and triple stitched 'sail' hems. The colours are inspired by old chairs and slings made famous by Southsea Deckchairs and work to preserve the heritage of such an iconic style.
Southsea Deckchairs. Cotton Fabrics. [Online] [Accessed 04.05.2014] http://gallantandjones.com/customer-love/
http://www.masdings.com/blog/2014/03/25/fred-perry-x-southsea-deckchair-company/B9
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